What primary philosophy do you follow?
 

...Such as when weighing what to do? Or Outlook on life? Or perspective? Or truth as you know it? etc.

I just realized this myself, but I'm a hedonist. I always used to despise them. But lo and behold, I realized I've been one for about 5 years. Maybe just 2 years depending on how one looks at it.

It's difficult to narrow one's outlook down to just one philosophy, especially when you consider how there is interconnectedess.

However, you are asking about the "primary" philosophy.

I would have to say Buddhist philosophy in my own life. However, this encompasses several positions. Generally speaking, much of the philosophy of Buddhism is based on existentialism and conducted through empiricism.

It is worth noting, too, that there is a common but misleading criticism of Buddhism that suggests it is nihilistic. It's not.

I lean towards utilitarian. I believe in maximizing benefit for as many as possible. I believe in doing what works instead of clinging uncritically to aesthetically pleasing ideologies (this includes utilitarianism and benefit maximization).

I don't know that I have a single, primary philosophy. My main philosophies are all Jewish, of course, but I do a lot of cherry-picking.

I guess maybe Abraham Joshua Heschel is my main man. He teaches deep valuation of the human condition, the love of others, and the appreciation of the universe based in what he calls "radical amazement" at the awe of God's works.

That said, though I don't know if it technically counts as philosophy, having been written by a psychiatrist, but I really like Viktor Frankl's teachings on meaning....

And if I had to go outside Jewish Thought...maybe the Tao. Lao Tzu seems like he really had his shit together....

Humanism, I suppose, would be my primary philosophy. I am a big believer in reason, ethics, and justice, and I like utilizing them in how I view and judge the world. Extending from my humanism is my naturalism, my belief that nothing exists beyond nature.

I have found that ethical naturalism, of the kind being pioneered by thinkers like Sam Harris, is an efficient and more independently verifiable meta-ethical viewpoint.

This is a difficult question, Zaraph. I may have to think about it a bit more.

My beliefs tend to evolve daily. If I had to choose a religion I'd likely swing the Hindu way.

My only philosophy is truly be what you are and be good to others. I believe in karma. . . although lately I am losing the faith of that belief. And it sucks because its always been my core glue holding me together.

Treat others well and watch your back, I guess.

Treat others well if it will lead to pleasure, watch your back if you're having fun doing it. :)

The difficult thing about believing in karma and taking it into consideration is that it is a hell of a lot of work. That in itself can be discouraging. But that's the reality of it.

That, my friend, is why I do still believe in it. Trying to stay focused on the whole "it can get much worse" aspect and keeping faith in it. And honestly if it does not pan out for me I still lived at my best potential and try to be a good person.

Dead broke and humiliated is less important to me than people knowing I cared while here.

:)

I like to think I'm a humanist, seeing samenesses.

Humanist by nature, existentialist by philosophy, cognitive-behavioral by intervention and governing rules.
Not perhaps what you were looking for specifically, but I'm learning that I lean heavily towards Kierkegaard and Sartre (and Yalom by natural progression, given my profession). But when it comes to dealing with things I fall back not on philosophy, but belief in the rational mind and taking cognitive and behavioral steps to change what you want to change and in making decisions about moral issues, life issues, and how I want to live my life. My father's family is Mennonite, my mother's is Southern Baptist, and S is reconnecting with his Jewish side of the family. It's easier to be eclectic. :)

my primary philosophy that i live by is "be civil to everyone, treat everyone with respect until they prove they don't deserve it, and understand this is all temporary and nothing is that important". memento mori.

I don't know where I am going, but I can evaluate to where I've been... (and what pertains)


-- to note: this retrospective, (below) also, might help some, as it aided me in coming up with the relativity compact (and original!) attributed axiom that is stated above.


[You Life Perspective]

+ bonus (like B_G alluded to above, or below and before, but whenever it was, I'm pretty I read him state it, prob'ly just now.)

Synchronicity

All people everywhere are whole, complete, and perfect, and all people everywhere have barriers to experiencing and expressing their wholeness, completeness, and perfection.

Fuck em & feed em fish heads.

i guess "survivalist" defines me the best. i have no direction in my life and i'm just as happy doing one thing as i am doing the next but i joined the US Air Force on a dare and i think i'll stay because i get free food, clothes, shelter, and something to do with my time.

I've read up about something called 'negative utilitarian' which i think i might lean towards. I really liked reading about what Kant had to say: Although he was a Christian himself he didn't use Christian principals so much as an understanding of morality but rather as a foundation point.

Since my heritage is somewhat Scottish from the Cameron Clan (rep rep gangster ) I also really found comfort in Protestant Presbyterianism for their big emphasis on: education, life-long learning, generosity, hospitality, and the constant pursuit of social justice and reform.

Karma is a pretty cool idea, but i read somewhere that it has the fault of if you are motivated to do good because it comes back around to you you already undermine the main principles in it of goodness and unselfishness.

Wheaton's Law

Stoicism, Buddhism, Humanism, Skepticism, Existentialism, I basically pick philosophies as frames of mind to be explored. All to be closer to the whole human experience.

Transcendental feminist anarchist